To arrange before departure

Pre-departure event

For students going on university-wide exchange, there is a compulsory pre-departure event. You will be invited by email. During the event you will receive a wealth of information about what you need to arrange before departure. You will also have the opportunity to meet students who have already been on exchange at your host university. In short, it’s a great way to prepare for your stay abroad!

Some faculties and study programmes hold their own pre-departure events. Check under your faculty or programme tab whether this is the case.

Have your courses approved

Would you like the credits you earn abroad to count towards your studies in Leiden? If so, you must have your courses approved in advance. In most cases, you will need to request approval from your programme’s board of examiners. However, for some programmes you must instead contact your international exchange coordinator. Ask your study adviser what steps you should take.

Mandatory number of credits

Do you have to earn a mandatory number of credits during your stay abroad? If so, check carefully on your host university’s website how many courses you will need to follow. For university-wide exchange, you can also find this information in the factsheets on the Blackboard page Study Abroad Outside of Europe. To access this information, log in, then click on 'enrol' in the left-hand menu. If you can’t find the information you need, or if you are going on exchange via your faculty or programme, request information from your international exchange coordinator.

Start early

Have your courses approved well in advance. You can only be certain that your credits will be recognised if your courses have been approved before you start them.

Visa

Find out if you need a visa. Your host university will usually let you know. Alternatively, you can request information from your destination country’s embassy or consulate.

You can only request a visa once you have been admitted by your host university.

Wait until your visa has been approved before buying your flight ticket, or make sure your ticket can be cancelled or changed.

Accommodation

In most cases, you host university will provide you with information or assistance in finding accommodation. You might be offered a room on campus, or you may have to arrange your own accommodation via an intermediary. Visit your host university’s website to find out about their procedures.

For university-wide exchange, you can also find information on the Blackboard page Study Abroad Outside of Europe. Here you can read about how other students arranged their accommodation abroad. To access this information, log in, then click on 'enrol' in the left-hand menu.

If you are you going on exchange via your faculty or programme, take a look under your faculty or programme tab for more information about accommodation.

Subletting

If you need to arrange your own accommodation, you could consider subletting a room from another student. HousingAnywhere is a handy, safe website through which you can search for accommodation, or sublet your own room whilst you are abroad. Always request advance permission from your landlord.

Language

Find out about language requirements. For some universities you will need to take a language test such as IELTS or TOEFL.

Are you unsure if you speak a language well enough? The Academic Language Centre offers online tests to determine your level.

A great way to improve your language skills is to travel to your destination early and follow a language course there. Alternatively, you can follow a language course at the Academic Language Centre.

Insurance

Check with your health insurance provider whether you are fully covered for your period of study abroad, or whether top-up insurance is required. Be aware that some countries require you to take out local health insurance.

Consider taking out travel and cancellation insurance to cover, for example, luggage, additional health costs, legal aid and liability. AON Student Insurance is a good example.

Find out if your insurance company has an emergency phone number. If so, keep it somewhere handy.

Ask your destination country’s embassy or consulate what visa procedures apply to you. Procedures for international students may not be the same as those for Dutch students.

International Discount Card

With an International Student Identity Card (ISIC card) you can get discount on a range of products and services in more than 130 countries, including flight tickets. Purchase your card from ISIC Netherlands.